The 11th annual Hands Across the Border event is being held during the week of August 26-30, 2002, as a way for Florida, Georgia, and Alabama law enforcement officers to promote strict enforcement of safety belt, child restraint, speed, and DUI laws prior to the beginning of the Labor Day holiday. Officers from law enforcement agencies across these three states rally at welcome centers along the states’ borders to remind citizens that traffic safety is critical on crowded holiday roadways. Last year in Florida, 22 persons were killed during the four-day Labor Day holiday. 57% of those killed were not utilizing available occupant restraint systems in their vehicles. In addition, 36% of the fatal crashes were alcohol-related.

In the above photo, FHP Troop A Commander Major Randy Brown, welcomes Captain Oscar Kyles, Troop G Commander of the Alabama State Troopers, along with a large contingent of Alabama and Florida law enforcement officers, to the Florida Welcome Center on Interstate 10 near Pensacola. Approximately 100 officers gathered at the event to prepare for the upcoming Labor Day holiday enforcement period. Included in the contingent were Florida Sheriffs Wendall Hall, Santa Rosa County, Ron McNesby, Escambia County, Charlie Morris, Okaloosa County, and Chief John Mathis, Pensacola Police Department. Buckle Up Florida officials greeted the law enforcement officers to provide additional incentive and reassurance that their job was important and making a difference in the lives of motorists using the roadways.

Lt. Mike Burroughs, Troop B Public Affairs Officer, addresses a variety of officers representing law enforcement agencies from Florida and Georgia at the Hands Across the Border Event at the Interstate 75 Florida Welcome Center on August 29, 2002. Lt. Burroughs, who also demonstrated the Patrol’s rollover simulator during the event, offered a challenge to all agencies to "think outside the circle" and "be creative" in finding ways to spread the message about seat belts, child restraints, drunk and drugged driving, and unlawful speed. Standing in the background is a member of the Georgia State Patrol (left), Sergeant Jeffery Gay and Captain Bob Miller of the Lake City District of the FHP.

Law enforcement officers from Alabama, Florida and Georgia symbolically shake hands at the Florida Welcome Center, located on US231 at the Florida Alabama state line.

Troopers from Florida, Georgia, and Alabama stand ready to perform their duties.

Major Carrick with Lt. Rick Ogden from the Georgia State Patrol.

Troopers from Alabama, Florida and Georgia pose in front of the newest FHP rollover simulator at the Hands Across the Border event on US 231 in Jackson County, Florida. This is the third rollover simulator donated to the FHP by Buckle Up Florida.